BLAIR, NEBRASKA (2025 February 6, Thursday)
Don Harrold, Writer / Editor
editor@blairtoday.com – Facebook
Blair, Nebraska, is a town steeped in history, where every home has a story, and every sale holds a piece of someone’s life. This weekend, one such story will unfold in an estate sale unlike any other—one that speaks to craftsmanship, creativity, and the legacies we leave behind.
“Every sale does represent someone’s life story,” said Beki Rainey, the local representative we spoke with from Blue Moon Estate Sales. “It’s always an honor to be amongst the legacy of people’s lives, and everybody’s lives are different.”
The estate in question belonged to two true artisans, a couple whose hands shaped wood and metal into something beautiful. Their home is filled with handcrafted furniture, custom cabinetry, and an outbuilding stocked with every tool a woodworker could dream of. “There’s a very, very complete collection of things for anybody interested in woodworking,” Beki explained. “From hobbyists to professionals, this estate has it all.”
But the craftsmanship didn’t stop at wood. This sale also reveals a passion for jewelry making—real jewelry making, not just beads and trinkets. “We’re talking about pounded copper, pounded sterling, the tools and equipment to craft intricate, professional-level pieces,” Beki said. “And there’s lots and lots of jewelry that’s already been made.”
And beyond the craftsman’s workshop, there’s a home full of everyday treasures: two bedroom sets with brand-new mattresses, high-end adjustable bases with massage features, handmade quilts, bookshelves filled with volumes of stories, a riding lawnmower, and more kitchenware than one could imagine. “There’s lots and lots and lots of tools,” Beki added, laughing. “It’s a big job.”
The Work Behind the Sale
Estate sales don’t just happen. They take time, effort, and an understanding of how to price everything from a power drill to a first-edition novel. “We do this every week,” Beki said. “We know what to look for, we know fair market value. We don’t just go to eBay and check asking prices—we look at sold comps. What has actually sold? That’s how we determine pricing.”
The sale is already drawing attention. Blair is a town that loves a good estate sale, and with Blue Moon’s reach, shoppers will come from far beyond the city limits. “We have three to five thousand people that come to our sales every weekend,” Beki said. “No matter where they are, no matter what’s in the sale.”
That level of turnout isn’t just luck—it’s strategy. “We have a very strong social media presence,” Beki explained. “If you’ve seen our Facebook this week, we did before-and-after photos of this sale. You can see what it looked like when we got there and what it looked like after we set it up. It’s a good window into what we’re capable of doing.”
The Emotional Side of Estate Sales
Every sale, beyond the numbers, is emotional. Families are letting go of belongings that have shaped their lives. And sometimes, that’s the hardest part. “People call us because they’re in some kind of life transition or crisis,” Beki said. “We’re lightening the load for someone who’s going through something difficult. The last thing they want to do is sift through boxes of stuff they’ve never opened before.”
That emotional weight can be overwhelming. Some families struggle to part with items, even when they know they need to. “We offer a free consultation where we come into the house, meet with the family, and assess the estate,” Beki explained. “And sometimes we say, ‘You’re not ready yet. And that’s okay.’”
Her team has seen it all. “Yesterday, we had a call—a death in the family, multiple children involved, a lot of quarreling over things. Sometimes just having a third party come in and say, ‘Here’s what we recommend,’ makes all the difference.”
The Unexpected Finds
Estate sales often reveal surprises. Sometimes, those surprises are just sentimental—old love letters, childhood report cards. But sometimes, they’re worth a lot more. “About four months ago, we found a clay pot with a lid on it,” Beki recalled. “Inside? Ten thousand dollars in cash.”
The owner, a widower, had no idea it was there. “His wife had dementia and had squirreled away that money. She told him on her deathbed that she put money somewhere, but she couldn’t remember where. When we brought it to him, he started crying.”
It’s those moments, Beki says, that make their work meaningful. “We know we’re handling people’s lives, not just their things.”
“You never know what’s behind closed door number one.” – BeKI RAINEY, Blue Moon Estate Sales
Why Hire Professionals?
Many people think they can handle an estate sale themselves, but Beki says they often underestimate the work involved. “A lot of people think, ‘Why should I pay someone when I can just do it myself?’ But what they don’t consider is the time and effort it takes. When you sell something on eBay, by the time you pay all the taxes, fees, and shipping, about 33% of what you make is gone. The fees we charge are pretty comparable to that—but with zero work on your part.”
And beyond that, professionals know what sells. “We’ve had people think their things are junk when they’re actually gold mines,” Beki said. “Like mid-century modern furniture—some people hate it because they grew up with it. But collectors will pay thousands for the right piece.”
Sometimes, though, the opposite happens. “We do get people who have an absolute delusional sense of what their stuff is worth,” Beki admitted. “But the market doesn’t lie. We know what sells, and we price accordingly.”
Estate Sales in Blair
This weekend’s sale is a reminder of the rich history hidden in Blair’s homes. Each estate sale is different, and each one reveals something unexpected—whether it’s custom woodworking, hand-forged jewelry, or a hidden stash of cash.
“We never know what’s behind closed doors,” Beki said. “But we do know that every sale, every home, has a story. And this weekend in Blair, we’re honored to help tell one.”
Blue Moon Estate Sale – Blair, Nebraska
📍 Location:
8882 County Road 41, Blair, NE 68023
📅 Dates & Times:
- Friday, February 7: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Saturday, February 8: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Sunday, February 9: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
About the Sale
This incredible estate sale in Blair features a house and a massive outbuilding, packed with unique treasures from two talented artisans. Whether you’re a woodworker, jewelry maker, collector, or just looking for quality home goods, this sale has something for you.
💎 Who Should Attend?
✅ Jewelry Makers & Collectors – Pounded sterling, copper, crafting supplies, and handmade jewelry
✅ Woodworkers – A fully equipped shop with industrial woodworking tools and a large amount of lumber & firewood
✅ Sci-Fi & Anime Fans – Vintage collectibles, books, posters, figures, Star Wars, Star Trek, Robotech
✅ Toy Collectors – Hard-to-find vintage toys
✅ Quilt Enthusiasts – Handcrafted quilts full of history
✅ Furniture & Decor Lovers – Bedroom sets, rugs, antiques, lighting, and more
Items Available
🛋️ Furniture & Home Décor – Bedroom sets, bookshelves, rugs, antiques
📚 Books & Collectibles – Sci-fi, anime, vintage memorabilia
🔨 Tools & Garage Items – Industrial woodworking equipment, power tools, garage essentials
💎 Jewelry & Watches – Handmade pieces, precious metals
🎨 Art & Pottery – One-of-a-kind artistic pieces
👗 Fashion & Accessories – Unique and vintage styles
🎮 Toys & Games – Vintage toys, dolls, and classic board games
🍽️ Dining & Kitchenware – High-end kitchen items
Important Sale Details
💳 Payment Methods: Cash & credit card only (credit card fees may apply)
🚫 All Sales Final: No refunds or returns; inspect items before purchase
🔧 Heavy Item Purchases: Bring help for loading large furniture or equipment
🎥 Security Notice: Premises may have security cameras; attendees consent to video/photos
👜 Bag Policy: No large handbags inside; food & drinks must be consumed outside
📣 Don’t miss this sale! Join them in Blair from February 7-9 and discover something special.
